Race Report: 2024 Winters RR M35+ 3/4

Race: 2024 Winters road race Masters 35+ Cat 3/4

Date: August 25, 2024

AVRT racers: Shai Traister

Top Result: Shai (9/26)

Course: 2 laps of ~23miles. Mostly flat with one star-stepped climb of 3.5miles, followed by a quick descend. This year there was a short (50m) gravel section at the earlier parts of the climb.

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/12241939087

Nutrition: 2 bottles with Skratch, 1 gel immediately before the race + 2 more gels during the race

Race Recap

26 riders in my field, so pretty sizable group. The most represented team was Dolce Vita which had 5 riders.

The race started at a pretty manageable pace. I guess everyone waited for the climb which came soon enough. In previous years when I raced this race there was a selection going up the first climb, so I was attentive and made sure I started the climb in good position. We climbed fast, and I maintained my position towards the front. A few riders went off the back, but the group was still pretty sizable.
Going down the descent and onto the 2nd lap, attacks were flying left and right. Being a solo rider I had no choice but to follow as much as possible and either close gaps or try to follow moves. Attacks continues and by the time we got to the 2nd climb 2 riders had a 10 seconds gap OTF. I went to the front and tried to bridge. Even though I was going at what I thought was a good pace, riders started passing me. By the time we got to the flat/down hill section a small gap opened. I thought we got to the top and believed I could catch up on the descent. Then I realized that I still had to climb the last bump. At that point I didn’t have much left and the gap opened quite significantly.

I got to the top and rolled down the descent. I could see one rider in front of me and started chasing. The back stretch had a headwind so I didn’t gain much time. 2 riders passed from behind and we started working together taking turns. Pretty soon we caught the guy in front, and the 4 of us worked together.

2 riders of the 4 were Dolce Vita and I expected them to play team tactics, but nevertheless they all cooperated and took turns with no attacks. We got closer to the finish. Pace picked up and as we got to 200m to go we were 2 wide - the 2 DolceVita riders were on the right, and I was behind the rider on the left. The guy in front of me pulled to the left, which left me exposed to the headwind. I decided to open my sprint, even though ideally I’d have waited longer (headwind). I was going side-by-side with one of the DolceVita guys, and at the end he got ahead by half a wheel. Finished 9th.

This is one of my favorite races on the calendar and I wish more people will sign up.